Ohio Students Use VR To Train For Policing Scenarios

East Liverpool High School’s criminal justice program recently introduced a virtual reality (VR) system that immerses students in scenarios they could face in law enforcement, like traffic stops and active shooter situations, as first reported by The Business Journal (TBJ).

Funded through a Perkins grant, the Street Smarts VR system offers a level of interactivity and decision-making that instructor Chris Davis, a retired police officer, says helps students understand the reality of police work, particularly the absence of a truly “routine” call, says TBJ.

“There’s nothing ‘routine’ about a traffic stop,” Davis emphasized, explaining how the VR system replicates the high-pressure, unpredictable environment that law enforcement officers navigate, as reported by TBJ.

Davis, who served as an officer and K-9 handler for 21 years, can adjust each scenario to escalate or de-escalate based on student decisions, allowing them to face complex situations in a controlled setting, noted TBJ.

In these VR scenarios, students interact with virtual suspects and must make rapid choices, ranging from verbal commands to using pepper spray, a stun gun, or even a firearm.

“It’s a matter of seconds to make their decisions. They can be shot,” said Davis, who also noted that student responses are recorded and displayed on a screen for review and discussion, as reported by TBJ.

“When they take that mask off, it’s, ‘Whew!’ I tell them, ‘It’s OK to be afraid; you’re either going to panic or revert to your training, and the more you train, the better you get,” he added.

The program is one of the few in the area to offer students hands-on law enforcement training. Since its inception, the criminal justice course has grown from two students to 15, underscoring a strong interest in the field, noted TBJ.

Students also earn practical certifications, including 911 dispatch and first aid, which Davis believes give them a head start on basic skills needed in law enforcement, reports TBJ.

Beyond VR training, students conduct ride-alongs with local police and work on administrative tasks, learning various aspects of police work beyond the immediate response to crises, says TBJ.

Fellow student Chloe Galeoti said the scenarios have changed her perspective, making her more aware of the challenges officers face, reports TBJ.

The VR system is also available for use by local law enforcement, bridging a gap between East Liverpool High and police departments in Ohio. Davis believes the VR system could strengthen relationships with area police, giving students exposure to real-world situations and the opportunity to apply their training in a practical setting.